Playground apparatus

ABSTRACT

Vertical and horizontal bars are joined to make upstanding substantially square grids arranged to form a cruciform structure with open ends, facing pairs of grids of the structure being the same distance apart. Spanning members longer than the distance between facing grids are provided to extend through facing rectangular openings of the grids, the spanning members having transverse cleats near their ends securing the spanning members in position. The spanning members may be placed in a wide variety of positions to provide varied play possibilities. Fabric sheets with peripheral ties are provided to selectively close off or cover portions of the structure.

United States Patent Aaron 1 March 6, 1973 [5 PLAYGROUND APPARATUS 516,560 3/1894 Zimmerman ..256/25 UX N [76] Inventor B XS QZ G R D 0 Primary Examiner-Ant0n O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerAmold W. Kramer [22] Filed: June 24, 1971 Atz0rneyPeter L. Tailer [21] Appl. No.: 156,425 ABSTRACT Vertical and horizontal bars are joined to make up- [52] US. Cl. ..272/60, 256/24, 2526;;52, Sanding Substantially Square grids arranged to form a cruciform structure with open ends, facing pairs of Cl. grids of the structure being the Same distance apart. [58] held of 57 119/20 1328/1 Spanning members longer than the distance between D28; 1334/5 H; 256/24 25 facing grids are provided to extend through facing rectangular openings of the grids, the spanning mem- [56] References and hers having transverse cleats near their ends securing UNITED STATES PATENTS the spanning members 11'] position. Ihe spanning members may be placed in a wide variety of positions to 2,206,581 7/1940 Sha iro.... ..272/6O provide varied play possibilities. Fabric sheets with 2,126,636 8/1938 Home /6 peripheral ties are provided to selectively close off or 3,423,072 1/1969 Bernstein ..256/24 cover portions of the structure, 1,752,110 3/1930 Remy 272/60 UX 2,169,710 8/1939 Schmidt .272/60 X 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures wwwwmmx lllli "f (O PATENTEUHAR 6 I975 INVENTORZ DAVID AARON O QILXTJJW ATTORNEY.

PLAYGROUND APPARATUS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the playground apparatus of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of fragments of facing grids with a spanning member in position therebetween; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fragment of an end of the apparatus shown blocked ofi with a fabric sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in detail, the playground apparatus of my invention consists of eight grids ll, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 fixed vertically in the ground to form the cruciform structure 10. The grids l l-18 are preferably of the same size fabricated from 1 inch pipe or the like welded or otherwise fixed together. Six vertical members 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 support seven horizontal members 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32 of each grid. The inner vertical member 25 of the grids 11, 13, 15, and 17 may form the inner vertical member of the grids 12, 14, 16, and 18.

Upper horizontal bars 33, 34, 35, and 36 span the open ends of the cruciform structure 10. Two inner horizontal bars 37 and 38 span the center of structure 10. The distance between facing grids 11-18 is equal and the openings 9 in the grids are of substantially uniform size. The gr-ids 11-18 are preferably square with each opening 9 being wider than its heighth as there are rows of five horizontal openings 9 and columns of six vertical openings 9 in each grid.

The structure is fixed to the ground in any suitable manner. For example some of the vertical members -25 of each grid may be extended downward and embedded in concrete. Alternatively, the lowermost horizontal member 32 of each grid may be fixed to a suitable anchor stake driven into the ground, or the assem bled structure 10 may stand freely as it is extremely stable.

Spanning members 40 are each formed of two planks 41 and 42 joined near their ends by transverse cleats 43 and 44. The spanning members 40 are slightly narrower than the width of the openings 9 to extend therein. A space 46 of about 1 inch is left between planks 41 and 42 to allow the easy insertion of a childs hand to more easily handle the members 40. Since the members 40 are only slightly longer than the distance between facing grids 1 1-18, they will only extend between and span facing openings 9. The cleats 43 and 44 are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the distance between facing horizontal members 26-32 to hold and position members 40 in place longitudinally.

Fabric or flexible sheet panels 50 are provided which have peripheral ties 51 fixed thereto. The panels 50 may be used as roof sections in play to cover cruciform structure 10 or they may be used as curtains to divide or close off the wings of structure 10.

The playground apparatus of this invention enjoys many advantages. The panels 50 and the spanning members 40 are usually kept in a storage area and are only brought forth when adult supervision is available. Without supervision, children can climb on the structure 10 as they would a conventional jungle gym. The upper horizontal bars 3338 may be used for gymnastics, chinning, hanging therefrom, etc.

hen a dozen or more spanning members 40 are brought out, structure 10 may be decked at different levels to provide exciting, imaginative play. Stepping the members 40 downward toward the center of the cruciform structure 10 provides a theatre with the center of the structure 10 as a stage. A play pyramid will result if the members 40 are stepped upward toward the center. Panels 50 provide roofs for play house building, stage curtains, dividers, etc. The ties 51 provide good protection in that they are safe to use and they provide practice in knot tying for children just mastering shoe laces. The members 40 are very safe as they are not easily dislodged or placed without cleats 43 and 44 locking them in position. The space 46 allows them to be more easily handled.

While this invention has been shown and described in the best form known to me, it will nevertheless be understood that this is purely exemplary and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Playground apparatus comprising, in combination, a cruciform structure having a center and four wings with open ends, said cruciform structure being formed of pairs of facing identical upstanding substantially square grids spaced the same distance apart, said grids being formed of joined vertical and horizontal members with adjacent grids having a common endmost vertical member, said horizontal and vertical members forming facing rectangular openings in said grids, said openings being wider than their heighth, upper horizontal bars extending between each pair of said grids above the open ends of said structure, two inner bars spanning opposite sides of the center of the cruciform structure, spanning members substantially the width of said openings, each of said spanning members having two planks and two cleats fixed transversely across the undersides of said planks near the ends of said planks, opposite ends of said spanning members being positionable in opposing facing openings with said cleats extending adjacent to horizontal members when said spanning members span said facing openings, and fabric sheets having peripheral ties, said sheets being smaller than the open ends of said structure, said ties comprising means for positioning said sheets between selected pairs of said grids. 

1. Playground apparatus comprising, in combination, a cruciform structure having a center and four wings with open ends, said cruciform structure being formed of pairs of facing identical upstanding substantially square grids spaced the same distance apart, said grids being formed of joined vertical and horizontal members with adjacent grids having a common endmost vertical member, said horizontal and vertical members forming facing rectangular openings in said grids, said openings being wider than their heighth, upper horizontal bars extending between each pair of said grids above the open ends of said structure, two inner bars spanning opposite sides of the center of the cruciform structure, spanning members substantially the width of said openings, each of said spanning members having two planks and two cleats fixed transversely across the undersides of said planks near the ends of said planks, opposite ends of said spanning members being positionable in opposing facing openings with said cleats extending adjacent to horizontal members when said spanning members span said facing openings, and fabric sheets having peripheral ties, said sheets being smaller than the open ends of said structure, said ties comprising means for positioning said sheets between selected pairs of said grids. 